Using Zakaat money on a Masjid

Question

(Fatwa: #007)

Can Zakat money be used in a building or maintaining a Masjid?

Answer

Muhtaram

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

 حامدا و مصليا و مسلما

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
We have received your query with regards to Zakaat, our response is as follows:
It should be borne in mind that for Zakaat to be discharged, it is conditional that a deserving recipient of Zakaat is made the unfettered owner of the Zakaatable item. Hence if physical transfer of ownership and due acceptance thereof by a specific worthy recipient does not take place then one’s Zakaat would not be discharged. Due to the fact that the usage of Zakaat funds in the building or maintaining of a Masjid would result in the default of this fundamental condition it would thus not be permissible to use Zakaat funds to pay for the building or the maintenance of a Masjid.1 Other funds such as general donation /Nafl Sadaqah can be utilized for these purposes.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best

(Mufti) Muhammad Irshad Motara

7th Ramadan 1441

1st May 2020

رد المحتار: ج 2-ص344-سعيد
احسن الفتاوى-ج4-ص262
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